The Kent estate at the centre of British diplomacy

3 hours ago

Steve Ladner,at Cheveningand

Patrick Barlow,South East

News image — Chevening House in Kent has been the centre of British diplomacy for decades

Steve Ladner / BBC A mansion with grounds in front of it and a circular lawn. A large metal railed gate also stands in front of the house. — Chevening House in Kent has been the centre of British diplomacy for decades

Chevening House, nestled in the Kent countryside, is at the heart of UK diplomacy.

Set in acres of land between Sevenoaks and Westerham, Chevening is gifted from politician to politician - usually to the foreign secretary by the prime minister - making it a key base of soft power.

Its power comes from its history and, its stewards say, in the knowledge it holds and its ability to cater to any and all visitors.

The house's current occupant, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper MP, told Secret Kent: "It's the partnerships that we build abroad that make us stronger back at home, and this place is a part of that."

Getty Images Two women are shaking hands and looking at the camera. Both have navy blue suits on and white t-shirts. Both have short grey hair. The woman on the right has a bright blue scarf. Behind them is a red brick building — Yvette Cooper welcoming Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong at Chevening House earlier this month

Cooper added: "It is a beautiful, historical place but it has a peace to it.

"There's something really special about it. You are able to bring people from across the world here to Chevening, and have discussions away from the hurly burly of the city."

Now a grace-and-favour mansion for politicians, Chevening was first handed over to Adam De Chevening in 1199.

The house in its current form was built in the first part of the 17th Century after the original burned down.

The home of UK diplomacy

Prior to being the seat for the foreign secretary and other government figures, Chevening was owned by the earls Stanhope for more than 250 years.

All of the seven earls entered parliament either through the House of Commons or House of Lords during their lifetime.

When the final earl was left heirless, he decided to pass on the house "as a diplomatic establishment to be used by the nation" through the Chevening Act, deputy house manager Laurie Shaw said.

"Its ability to cater to anyone makes it so special," he added.

"We have amassed a huge amount of knowledge and a collection that is of interest to anyone from any part of the world."

The house has hosted a variety of powerful diplomatic figures over the years, including Cooper's predecessor David Lammy who spent his time fishing with US Vice President JD Vance.

Lucille Davies, chief executive of the Chevening Trust, said: "The use of the house on a day-to-day basis really varies depending on the nominated person, but it is integral to our core purpose of diplomacy."

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